DSC_0493s (Medium)

 

Early sunlight reached through the gauzy curtains, caressed her skin, whispered wake up, wake up. On cue, the sounds of surf tiptoed into the room, singing her more awake. Eyes barely open, she pulled on the running clothes lying on a nearby chair, grabbed her worn out Brooks and laced them on tight.  I really need new ones, she thought.

She stood and stretched, briefly considered climbing back in bed, but instead headed for the bedroom door."Come on, Jack, time to run!" she called.

Jack. With his name, the last threads of sleep dropped to the floor and reality replaced dreams. Walking to the other side of the bed, she knelt beside the faded green cushion, still sprinkled with black hair. She placed her hand in the middle for a moment, right where Jack's heart had beaten steadily beside her while she slept for so many years.

"Come on, Jack, time to run," she whispered, then rising, made her way to the beach, to their familiar path, where tears, sweat and the salt of the sea blended, a healing salve for her heart. 

 

Write On Edge: Red-Writing-Hood

 

This is my fiction contribution to this week's Red Writing Hood prompt: 

“The cure for anything is salt water….sweat, tears or the sea.”
~ Isak Dinesen, pseudonym of Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke

"For your Creative Non-Fiction tell us about the last time that one of these three things “cured” you. If you are going with Fiction, have your character resolve a problem using one of the three (or all three!!!). There are so many ways you can use this prompt so be creative with it, don’t take us where we think you’ll go. Word Limit is 300."

 

Posted in , , , ,

30 responses to “Salts of the Sea”

  1. Gail Avatar

    Sad but beautiful. I was right there in the moment…great writing!

    Like

  2. lexy Avatar

    very touching, well done!

    Like

  3. le chef Avatar

    I adored the threads of sleep dropping to the floor! Excellent! A green cushion still sprinkled with black hairs – her hand and his heart, very vivid, and wonderfully written.

    Like

  4. AmyBeth Inverness Avatar

    I love how you combined all three forms of saltwater.

    Like

  5. angela Avatar

    I like how you entwined the different elements of the prompt to heal her. Also, that moment between sleeping and waking where things are not quite clear? It made me sad to realize Jack was gone.

    Like

  6. Kevin Avatar

    Wow. That almost made me cry. I have a very old cat, myself and I related to the loss in this story a little too well for my liking… Which I guess means you’ve told it well.
    Nicely done!

    Like

  7. lorithatcher Avatar

    It is tearjerking, but not sickly-sentimental. Really sad and yet enjoyable and hopeful. Nice!

    Like

  8. Kristina Avatar

    Oh my goodness. This was heartbreaking. It was so real. Very well done!

    Like

  9. Julia Avatar

    So touching. So real.

    Like

  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I feel bad admitting it, but real and heartbreaking was what I was shooting for, so thanks!
     

    Like

  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks! I worry about getting too sentimental. Glad you felt it wasn't!
     

    Like

  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks! I worry about getting too sentimental. Glad you felt it wasn't!
     

    Like

  13. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I've lost so many pets in my life. I tried to convey the heartbreak without being too sentimental or manipulative. Hope I succeeded!
     

    Like

  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks so much, Angela!
     

    Like

  15. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much!
     

    Like

  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks, Gail. It was a fun exercise!
     

    Like

  17. Wolf Pascoe Avatar
  18. Lady Fi Avatar

    So sad and beautifully written!

    Like

  19. lisleman Avatar

    I already thought you were a dog lover. This piece confirms it.

    Like

  20. Debbie. B. Avatar
    Debbie. B.

    Barbara, this one tugs at my heart. You captured the new heartache of a 4 legged family member leaving us. My friend, there is a lot of talent inside you waiting patiently for its moment to be shared with ours. 🙂 Now going to find a tissue….

    Like

  21. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Debbie, I didn't know you had recently lost one of your babies. I'm so sorry! I know, like me, you wouldn't trade the joy and memories for the recent heartache, but it still hurts so much. Sending you a hug!
     

    Like

  22. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Mission accomplished. Thank you!
     

    Like

  23. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you, Fiona!
     

    Like

  24. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you, Fiona!
     

    Like

  25. Debbie B Avatar
    Debbie B

    Not recently..but it just seems like yesterday. Your writing stirred up those feeling like it just happened

    Like

  26. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    They're always just below the surface, aren't they? 
     

    Like

Leave a reply to Kevin Cancel reply